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About 30 people braved the cold weather Tuesday morning to join Provo Mayor Lewis Billings on the annual Bike to Work Day ride through Provo.
Riders of all ages -- from babies pulled along in carriages to golden agers -- made the 3-mile journey that began and ended at the county courthouse. Many were city employees, like Jeff Beaty, emergency management coordinator. Having been a regular bike commuter when he lived in California years ago, Beaty said he looked at the event as a way to get back into the habit.
"I thought I'd make it part of my routine," he said. "I used to ride everywhere. I've probably been on or under about nine or 10 cars."
But, Beaty reassured, that was in California.
"The driving here is a little different," he said.
This morning's ride was the sixth of such annual events hosted by the city with the Utah Transit Authority's Rideshare program. Before signing an official Bike to Work Day proclamation, Billings spoke to the assembled riders about the benefits of biking.
"You'll be healthier, you'll be happier and your life will be richer if you find time to bike," he said.
Statistics appear to support Billings's statement: Riding a bike for 30 minutes a day at less than 10 miles per hour can help manage weight, build muscle, reduce blood pressure, improve mood, and reduce the risks of heart disease, cancer and diabetes, according to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Riders gathered at 7:30 a.m. for free bagels and bike tune-ups. That, said Beaty, was one of the big perks of the morning.
"Tune-ups are expensive," he said. "I just got one for free."
Shortly after 8, the weather had warmed a bit and the group took to the streets with police car escorts on both ends. Billings led the riders along the route from Center Street and University Avenue to 200 East, up to 800 North, over to 700 East, then back down along Center Street to where they started.
Stacey Adamson, a senior marketing rep with UTA, said the purpose of the event is to get people excited about alternate modes of transportation. The mayor's role is to provide leadership to commuters thinking about biking to work.
"They'll say, 'Hey, look -- the mayor's doing it,' " she said.
For people making a longer haul than a couple of miles, UTA offers bike racks on many of its buses and other forms of transportation, Adamson said.
"It saves you money, especially right now with fuel prices," she said.
The authority is also sponsoring other events across the state this month to highlight National Bike Month. A similar Bike to Work event took place concurrently Tuesday in Salt Lake City, with Mayor Ralph Becker and county Mayor Peter Corroon leading the ride. This Friday is the 13th annual Bike Bonanza at the Gallivan Plaza in Salt Lake City. There will be free food, bike raffles, an obstacle course and vendor booths.
In Provo, commuters without their own bike to get around can use one of the city bikes, said city spokeswoman Helen Anderson. The Dasani Blue Bike program allows residents to check out bikes for free at any of seven locations around town and use them for the day, as long as they're returned in the evening.
To participate in the program, visit the Parks and Recreation office at 351 W. Center St. |
